After a slow start to 2025, the dealership buy-sell market is picking up its pace.

The Dave Cantin Group saw that firsthand this month, closing two California dealership sales in the span of a week.

The mergers and acquisitions advisory company announced the sale of Audi West Covina from Envision Motors to Victor Oh of Grace Motorcars. DCG said the divestiture was the third it’s handled for Envision as the company “aligns its portfolio to focus on long-term strategic growth.”

Envision currently operates 13 dealership locations and a rental car agency in Southern California. The store is the first for Oh’s startup company.

Six days after that closing, One Subaru in Hayward was acquired by Uwe and Chris Waizenegger from Brian and Devin McCafferty. The Waizeneggers, who also own Mercedes-Benz of Pleasanton, have renamed the San Francisco Bay-area dealership Subaru of Hayward.

“California is seeing an uptick of interest from the industry,” Dave Cantin Group CEO Dave Cantin said, “and there’s some pending legislation which will make the state much more attractive.”

Hanna acquires NC Infiniti store

A big name among independent dealers has added a franchise store.

Elie Hanna has purchased Crossroads Infiniti of Apex in Apex, N.C., from Crossroads Automotive Group, according to Dealer Solutions Mergers & Acquisitions, which represented the seller in the deal.

The Triangle Business Journal reported the dealership sold for $11 million.

Hanna is the owner of Hanna Imports, a giant used-car operation with three locations in North Carolina and Florida. His new dealership has been renamed Hanna Infiniti of Apex.

HGreg threepeats Canadian Business Excellence Award

Three in a row for HGreg.

The Montreal-based dealership group has been selected as a recipient of Excellence Canada’s Canadian Business Excellence Award in the Private Sector for the third consecutive year.

“This acknowledgment greatly affirms our company’s vision and strategy, which are rooted in innovation and proactive customer service,” HGreg president John Hairabedian said. “Being one of only a handful of companies to be honored nationwide is a testament not only to our performance, but also to the trust our customers place in us day after day.”

The award recognizes best practices in customer service, employee mobilization and innovation in the workplace among Canadian businesses. This year, 26 Canadian organizations were selected.

“This distinction rewards the sustained efforts and remarkable commitment of all the members of these organizations,” Excellence Canada president Allan Ebedes said.

The winners will be honored in a ceremony Sept. 23 at Toronto’s Eglinton Grand, part of Excellence Canada’s 40th anniversary Ruby Jubilee.